In 1936 other cars
known as die Silberpfeile or Silver Arrows raced in Hungary, that time on a 3.1 mille
course within the Budapest Public Gardens. In the previous year the cars from
Mercedes-Benz dominated the Grand Prix scene and captured nine of the eleven major events
they entered. These victories included the Monaco, French, Belgian and Swiss Grands Prix
and resulted in the crowning of the original regenmeister (rainmaster), Rudolf
Caracciola as European Champion. Of their losses last year, none was more painful than
Tazio Nuvolari’s legendary victory in the German Grand Prix driving a Scuderia
Ferrari entered Alfa Romeo. Nothing less than the same was expected for this year, only
Auto Union stood in their way. Auto Union had an ace in their pocket by the name of Bernd
Rosemeyer. His career likened to a shooting star had just scored a tremendous victory in
the Eifel Grand Prix held on the Nurburgring. In dense fog he lapped that monstrous course
an astounding 30 seconds faster than his closest pursuer Nuvolari.
The scene was now set
for a battle between two great champions, Caracciola, Nuvolari and the German wunderkindt,
Rosemeyer. Budapest the beautiful Hungarian capital situated on the Danube never looked more so. More than 100,000
spectators turned out to watch the expected battle around the twisty figure eight circuit.
Nuvolari looked impressive driving a 3.8 liter V8 Alfa Romeo but against him were three
Mercedes and a likewise number of Auto Unions. After Rosemeyer’s victory over
Nuvolari some began to question whether Tazio was getting too old and that maybe he had
finally met his match in the young German. The Italian said nothing, for him as always his
driving would do the talking.
The flag dropped and
Rosemeyer surged into the lead, followed by von Brauchitsch, Caracciola and Nuvolari. Caracciola then stole the lead and held it for the next 16 laps before he was forced to retire with engine failure.
While von Brauchitsch and Nuvolari were involved in a war of nerves Rosemeyer who had
started behind the leading pack assumed the lead. Von Brauchitsch never the calmest driver
in the field began to wilt under the pressure exerted by the Italian. Coming into a corner
too fast only to spin out, von Brauchitsch was narrowly missed by the Alfa Romeo. It was
now just after half distance and Nuvolari had his eyes set on the race leader Rosemeyer.
Each earlier call for his retirement would now serve as another log in the fire to fuel
Nuvolari’s efforts. Slowly he reeled in his young rival and on the 33rd
lap Nuvolari made his move and passed the Auto Union for the lead. Nuvolari not satisfied
with merely winning continued to extend his lead until the end, thereby avenging his
defeat of one week ago. Von Brauchitsch, the last Mercedes still in the race spun again
two laps from the finish and suffered terminal damage to his car. Alfred Neubauer, the
Mercedes team manager flung down his control flags in disgust. The only driver in the
world who could challenge and beat the mighty Silver Arrows had done it again.
The scene was now set
for a battle between two great champions, Caracciola, Nuvolari and the German wunderkindt,
Rosemeyer. Budapest the beautiful Hungarian capital situated on the Danube never looked more so. More than 100,000
spectators turned out to watch the expected battle around the twisty figure eight circuit.
Nuvolari looked impressive driving a 3.8 liter V8 Alfa Romeo but against him were three
Mercedes and a likewise number of Auto Unions. After Rosemeyer’s victory over
Nuvolari some began to question whether Tazio was getting too old and that maybe he had
finally met his match in the young German. The Italian said nothing, for him as always his
driving would do the talking.
The flag dropped and
Rosemeyer surged into the lead, followed by von Brauchitsch, Caracciola and Nuvolari. Caracciola then stole the lead and held it for the next 16 laps before he was forced to retire with engine failure.
While von Brauchitsch and Nuvolari were involved in a war of nerves Rosemeyer who had
started behind the leading pack assumed the lead. Von Brauchitsch never the calmest driver
in the field began to wilt under the pressure exerted by the Italian. Coming into a corner
too fast only to spin out, von Brauchitsch was narrowly missed by the Alfa Romeo. It was
now just after half distance and Nuvolari had his eyes set on the race leader Rosemeyer.
Each earlier call for his retirement would now serve as another log in the fire to fuel
Nuvolari’s efforts. Slowly he reeled in his young rival and on the 33rd
lap Nuvolari made his move and passed the Auto Union for the lead. Nuvolari not satisfied
with merely winning continued to extend his lead until the end, thereby avenging his
defeat of one week ago. Von Brauchitsch, the last Mercedes still in the race spun again
two laps from the finish and suffered terminal damage to his car. Alfred Neubauer, the
Mercedes team manager flung down his control flags in disgust. The only driver in the
world who could challenge and beat the mighty Silver Arrows had done it again.
